Hiking Dude Blog

I walked 50580 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 21 miles today.
Well, this was a wonderful, eventful day. Bears on the trail, many nice miles, new hiker friends, and a great place to sleep tonight. This is Stanimals hostel in Waynesboro and it's a wonderful escape from the trail for a night (or two). There are 6 guys here tonight and it's been great fun hearing all their stories. Dana made us a super spaghetti dinner and there's a selection of movies. Now I'm just hoping the bed is as comfortable as it looks. I finished the shenandoah park so we'll see how the trail changes. But, tomorrow is a zero day to resupply and rest.

Check out my current location on the map. I ran into Jeff and Gracie the Amazing Hiking Dog on the trail. They were out doing trail maintenance and are Scouters from Charlottesville. We had a nice chat and walk, and he gave me a coke. Thanks for the snack and all your efforts for the trail community!

A hiker named Barred the Changeling killed a huge rat in the shelter last night! Very exciting battle.

I walked 54496 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 21 miles today.
Vanilla Thunder and I hiked today. Another $$$ hamburger at wayside restaurant for lunch - probably the last since the park ends tomorrow. At the end of day, just 100 yards from the shelter, we watched a bear pulling down brush to eat berries - very cool.

I walked 43135 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 17 miles today.
Hot Shower! At Lewis CamPground, we got showers for $1 for a generous 5 minutes. Randy, the campgRound manager was great! We've hooked on to Hightop shelter and joined Bloodblister for the night. She is yoyoing the AT. The hope is to push a tiny bit and get to Waynrsboro Friday night. The weather continues to be unseasonably cool which works well for me.

Have been seeing lots of deer but only that 1 bear the other day. The trail had been pretty nice through the park so I hope it remains that way heading south. Nothing to report except lots of climbing up and down. !

I walked 44975 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 17 miles today.
Just a guess at the miles because we're camped out in the forest rather than a shelter - just too far to the next one. It was a great day! Sunny and lower humidity so my underwear were actually dry at the end of the day. TMI Had lunch of a $$$ hamburger at Skyland lodge and then more reasonable drinks and snack at Big Meadow wayside. The trail had 3 long climbs today, but they went well. My legs are staying to feel worn so a zero or nero soon would be nice.

Entered the shenandoah park. No bears yet, but saw a huge deer. Coverage is getting worse so I may not be able to get posts out. Met a scout and his dad doing their 50-miler hike. They might make it to the shelter I'm staying tonight.

Scored a couple of really great deals today. We stopped at elk wallow campground and they have a store so we got hot egg muffin type sandwiches. I just arrived at this wayside as big black clouds are forming so I got to wash with HOT water and drink cold water that I didn't have to filter - plus I missed the rain! Only 3 more miles to the shelter but it's a tough Rocky climb. I won't be sending pics for awhile due to poor coverage.

I walked 44015 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 18 miles today.
I saw a bear this morning! Lots of UPs today and we're at a shelter on a ridge so I'm hoping for cool, dry air. Very little sleep last night due to warmth and humidity.